HoverAir X1 Pro Review

[@conniedebeer8058]

THANKS for that...VERY informative and to the point; without whaffling about in a carpark waisting time on not going through the features like you did in a timely manner.

[@LeCarroReynolds]

By far the best review as of yet on the new x1 pro drone

[@bikenbeers]

Thanks for the review. I bought the X1 largely based on your review from some time ago and I'm really happy with it. The key improvement would be the speed in which the drone can follow me cycling (downhill & flat) and this seems to be solved in the X1 Pro. One other improvement would be to add a bit of bright colour to the drone or battery. I've "lost" mine a few times because Black just does not stand out when the drone crashes or lands in bush. A bright luminesce colour, even just on the battery, would help visual location of the drone when it lands in vegetation.

[@AnotherCG]

Been waiting for some real world biking test. FINALLY!!

[@raffaellocroci616]

one of the best reviews, well done and easy explained. I had enough of beta testers simply playing with the drone

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Thank you Raffael

[@jeffmackeigan7284]

Wonderful review! We’re looking forward to getting one of these to showcase our disc golf course design and installation work! Thank you again!

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

The reason I haven’t updated this is I have yet to get the beacon and the separate controller working reliably but it does fly well from the app.

[@rextilian]

Thanks for the review it’s very thorough. You said “the batteries are good to -20C which is -45F” but in fact -20C is -14F. Cheers.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thank you. I make mountain biking vlogs and have just ordered a ProMax cycling combo from Indigogo. I've been using a Mini 4 Pro but the bulky controller is a real issue and the process of trying to get follow me footage is a faff. I'm really hopeful the Pro Max is the solution. Thanks for such a high quality and detailed video.

[@SFBenjaminK]

I pre-ordered the Promax month ago same cycle combo ,can't wait to get it sometimes this month🤙🤟🔥

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Hope you enjoy it - those 8k files will take a bit of hard drive space but should look good.

[@PeteDevlinootnaboot]

IT'S THE MORAY WAY!!! There is no gravel triangle 🤣🤣 I've got the pro max arriving Tuesday, can't wait to get out and test it. Impressed with the resilience after hitting that passing place sign.

[@stevedouglas3975]

Excellent video as always. The X1Pro looks really good and being able to fly at 26mph is good for cycling even on road. But and there's always a but the pricing is now getting up there certainly for most "casual users". I have aGoPro I use on my rides which quite honestly I use mainly for recording rides in case of close passes etc (which is a sad indictment of UK driving). Having a drone for me be fun and I'm sure get some great footage but not sure I'd use enough to justify cost. Given battery life is only 16mins even taking a couple of batteries be necessary and so any rides I'd do would have to be purposeful drone footage rides rather than incorporating into my usual couple hours thrash around local roads. This isn't a reflection of drone or how good it is rather my take on whether I could justify buying one. I guess like a lot of tech these days, would the novelty wear off be my concern but that's an individual thing as I'm not really into filming like some are. Anyway, looking forward to seeing further videos on this.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

That’s a good analysis for the casual user - and in which case I’d choose the Neo.

[@quangyung6751]

Battery life tested is 13 mins max not 16 mins as they advertise. They both my batteries and got 12 to 13 mins. Other than that I'm very happy with my pro. Nice review.

[@alphasportstv]

I already bought and returned a Neo as it was a sad and rather large FAIL for my type of mountain biking on forested DH trails...it just couldn't follow me on switchbacks and other wooded areas, plus it is painfully slow. So, I'm hoping more Hover users will post vids with conditions similar to mine...they are slowly trickling out with encouraging results!

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

I hope you have success finding one that will follow you through trees on single track. I don’t know any drone that could do that automatically.

[@lechprotean]

I'll get one when they get to the 30-40GBP range. I have absolutely no professional need for one but a few aerial shots her and there would be nice...

[@slainelow]

Thanks for the review. I'll stick with the DJI. This is clearly a better drone, but not sure its improvements are worth at least 2 times the cost. At least to me.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

I understand that completely. Those crashes had me wincing every time just thinking about the cost of replacement

[@slainelow]

@@alwaysanotheradventure Indeed. I also think that DJI is using their vast cash reserves to offer theirs at a high discount. Trying to make HoverAir irrelevant. Doubt it will work, but while they are playing corporate games I will take advantage. Plus, I suspect Version 2 will cost much more.

[@mishka59]

the Original x1 is unique as it fits in your pocket, takes off and start shooting in seconds, following you without any controller, simple and easy to operate and pretty much working great. The new X1 pro is an improvement as far as resolution, speed, follow distance, beacon etc... For me as a road, mountain and touring cyclist is exactly what I was looking for. The DJI drones never worked for me in this regard. If you are looking for a full featured drone, DJI maybe your best bet, but if you are looking for an semi autonomous flying camera that does everything I listed above, then I don't see any competition currently available to the X1Pro/max

[@JetSurfingNation]

Did you try Hover X pro over water and for watersports? Following with the beacon?

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

The beacon I was sent had huge connection problems. New one not yet arrived.

[@angelamartin2762]

T.Y. For sharing!!❤❤❤

[@spdnik2568]

My pro seems to have come with 64GB memory, I got it on the indiegogo launch and was expecting 32GB as you’ve listed on the specs.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Excellent! I’ll have to check mine too. I was surprised how quickly I filled it and it flipped into using the SD card

[@spdnik2568]

@@alwaysanotheradventure I must admit I don’t really need 4k so was planning to use 2.7 to save storage space but it’s not an option. So 4k it is so having a bit more on board is a bonus.

[@sylvesterwatson314]

Great review

[@BackwardTravisty]

I really like my X1 Pro, especially coming from the X1. I only need a drone for my selfie workout videos. I absolutely do not need a cinematic drone for my simple needs. The foldy feature is still a selling point for me. Cost isn't everything.

[@bc82870]

That crash😂😂😂

[@AuntieG]

Very useful review! Did you test it in portrait mode?

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

I didn’t - shooting 4k when most vertical formats need 1080 or less it’s easily cropped in edit.

[@AuntieG]

@ I see your point. But getting it right at the source and minimizing the editing is for me a big plus.

[@mishka59]

Great review A+++ - interesting and educating plus an amazing Outdoors ! Why 1080 res clip ??? We want to see the 4k capabilities 😀 Sold my X1 which was good but not great as far as colors and speed : waiting for the Pro Max Cycling combo to Arrive like everyone else.... The Beacon will be a great plus. I hope there is or will be a Log video profile, like DJI D-cinelike or similar so I can better match in post the color space with the clips I am shooting with the Osmo Pocket 2. 🤞

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

I cut on a 1080 timeline for the look and upload time. Most devices don’t “see” 4k, they’re compressed for upload and YT compresses them again. A true 4k video at 10mins would take about a week to upload where I live! Best plan is to offer a short camera original file for download for direct comparison as I did with the recent X1 / Neo comparative video. Pleased to hear you enjoyed the video.

[@ifitrollsrideit530]

Do we know yet if the original X1 is going to get the app improvements from the X1 Pro /Max? I'm thinking specifically the virtual controller sticks.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Good question but I don’t know, sorry.

[@internetobrasil]

So, forget about the NEO and go with the X1 pro max? Thanks for all the reviews!

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Depends on your budget and aims. My pal just wants something for occasional fun and inspecting roofs / chimneys so I suggested Neo.

[@internetobrasil]

@@alwaysanotheradventure , biking adventures! Easy to use on the city and trails. I do have the X1, however, there are limitations on big cliffs, or strong winds.

[@markshirley01]

Thanks very helpful - I was looking for a simple lightweight drone that didn't need a controller. So obviously Im looking at the NEO as well, but so far the Hoverair is shaping up better. The manual flight testing will be very helpful. I have tried a Neo but found it difficult to fly at slower speeds at a closer target (buildings). Does the Hoverair have any speed adjustments.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

You can feather the control on both the app and controller to adjust speed but I don’t think there are settings to limit this. I found the Neo with the controller was the best way to adjust speed although I haven’t gone deep into the settings to see if I can adjust the various response rates. I’m away filming in London so it’ll be a couple of weeks before I get some proper comparative X1 / Neo / X1Pro video shot.

[@SirKayTravels]

As it won't track you car, haven't you thought of palm launching it then, get inside the car? by the way, does the basic combo come with only 1 battery or they added an extra one? they used to have detailed lists of the combos on their Indegogo page during campaign but, it's all gone now.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

That’s how I launched it - from palm then got in car. Check the Hover Air website for the current packages - not indegogo.

[@SirKayTravels]

@@alwaysanotheradventure They got greedy, the price through off the roof, the winter & skii combo is now $1500. I'm just waiting for Black Friday or would just look into the proper drone - DJI Mini 4. In the virtual manual mode, can one at least go up while simultaneously raising the gimbal like you would do with proper drones to get those cinematic shots or not really?

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

You can do three way moves but it’s easier if you’ve evolved extra fingers! There’s not enough space on the screen to operate the virtual joysticks and the gimbal attitude. Fine with the controller of course. Wow - that price! I believe there are production delays with the beacon too.

[@SirKayTravels]

@@alwaysanotheradventure Yep! they went up. The skii combo was once around $1k. I'm getting the Mini 4 Pro. I'm guessing you got yours during the campaign. Anyways, is the audio syncing with video via the beacon fixed with the firmware update yet?

[@Grandadgreyhair]

Why is drone black I would have thought a bright yellow or orange might be better

[@ksyvrbc]

Good point, especially for traceability if it goes down in amidst thick foliage. Hope they're reading these comments!

[@Damopatrick]

Why did crash so easy on just sign ? Can get go up higher like how high up can get shot ? Can fly drone on the app via phone ? Do actually need buy extras too fly full manual.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

It was following me fast - 26mph and didn’t detect the sign in time to avoid it.

[@markandrews2222]

26 Celsius is roughly -15F; the two measurement types meet only once at -40.

[@ashleyhoward8926]

You might want to check your figures. I suspect you have your F'nC mixed up.

[@keithmaclure9101]

-20°C = -4°F The screen text is correct.... 😊

[@ST19859]

Im honestly trying to figure out what this does that the neo doesnt do for 1/3 the price ?? I say that as someone who cant stand DJI for the most part and would likely never own one of their products again

[@GEMZTV]

Is neo safe for island tour, because I have plan to buy neo or xpro for vacation in the Philippines , I mean waterproof?

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

None of them are waterproof in any meaningful way. The Neo and original X1 are not meant to be flown over water because it can confuse their sensors. The new X1 Pro and Max can be flown over water.

[@richieeee72]

Regarding Beacon, when you say a new one is coming, did you mean replacement hardware, a new Beacon? Or new firmware?

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

I’m told a new one is coming to me - the implication (translation is an issue) being there was a hardware issue. I have heard no more. Currently takes multiple attempts to connect.

[@Emuspaul]

I can't get the phone to work with the joystick controller.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

One for HoverAir

[@gregb1599]

Try not to break a prop. They apparently are almost impossible to get replacements. At least one person on a Facebook group has managed to break one and so far no way to get a replacement, and with the very odd thing is no spares come with the drone! Even the cheap DJI Neo has two spare which was great as I managed to break two props on my drone as well!

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Thanks - worth knowing.

[@shawnstoik]

DOES IT RECORD/TRACK IN 8K YET??

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

The Pro doesn’t do 4K. That’s the Pro Max. No need to SHOUT.

[@ciscocalderon5436]

No fly aways?

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

None - surpring

[@xandershawvlog]

What climb is that?

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Strontian to Polloch. This descent will be on my new West Coast Cycle Trail.

[@blackibex]

Thanks, but what's the point of showing the capabilities of a 4K drone in an HD video?

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

What’s the point of an 8k camera?

[@blackibex]

@@alwaysanotheradventure Zooming in post. But how is that relevant to my question? I'm not complaining, I dig your video, I just don't understand.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Exactly that’s how I use 4k. But fair question. I’m not seeking to demonstrate native 4k - KZbin compresses it anyway, and it would take a week to upload a 10min 4k uncompressed video from where I live. That’s why in a previous video I provided a download link to the source files for comparison of the Neo and old X1. I’ll do that with the next X1 Pro I mention in the video although it’ll take a week or two as I’m travelling.

[@shawnstoik]

What quality was this video recorded in, Video is well done. But the Quality is horrible, once again well done video information though. :)

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Sorry you find the quality horrible.

[@philipph80]

3:04 Fatality...this drone need update...hoverair x2 pro or something

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

There have been firmware updates and I think hitting the road sign was an unlucky fluke

[@shred3005]

Actually my X1 Pro (not Max) came with 64GB internal memory of which 11.7GB is taken up with firmware so I have 52GB internal to use. Your review is the most relevant to me and my use case - out adventure riding on my bikes. I’m also having pretty much the same experience as you. It’s a good step up from the X1 I’ve been using for the last year. The extra speed and power in breezes being the main point.

[@kpeterrafael]

I heard that's an extra bonus for IGG backers 😊

[@shred3005]

@@kpeterrafael interesting, I hadn’t heard that about the onboard memory. It’s nice to have as 50+GB of useable memory is plenty for a long weekend away adventure

[@kpeterrafael]

@@shred3005 yup I asked and that's what I've been told, so the regular devices from their website will still be 32GB for the PRO and 64GB for the PRO MAX.

[@ohmygoth5899]

Way too expensive fory pocket, Dji neo starts at £169 which if for personal fun is affordable

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Couldn’t agree more - if that’s your budget the Neo is amazing value

[@ClassicCyclingCC]

Hover air pro has great potential BUT 1) WAY overpriced + 2) Not fully developed + 3) A bit too basic for the price = I am not buying.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

I think you're very wise. Recent Firmware updates to the X1 Pro and problems with the Beacon (which I was assured were fixed) suggest it was released too early. More on that to come.

[@jamesbomd3503]

just wondering here did you get the camera for free ? you seem very happy to test these Gadgets out

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Exactly as explained in the video at 4:17 There's also a link in the video description to my Compliance page detailing how I work with brands - which I've spotted needs updating.